Palynology of the Lower Eocene deposits of northwest Jutland, Denmark

Early Eocene spores and pollen assemblages from the uppermost part of the Stolle Klint Clay and the overlying Fur Formation are diverse and well preserved. The terrestrial microflora comprises 42 species of spores and 108 species of pollen and four spores and pollen zones are established i.e. Interpollis velum-Labrapollis globosus, Basopollis atumenscens, Basopollis orthobasalis and Thomsonipollis magnificus zones. The zones are directly correlated to the existing tephra-chronology and stratigraphy. The dinoflagellate cysts assemblages are referred to Zones 6 and 7 of Heilmann-Clausen or the upper part of the Apectodinium hyperacanthum and Glaphyrocysta ordinata Interval Biozone of Powell. A marked shift in the terrestrial and marine palynomorph assemblages takes place at the transitionbetween the two oldest spore and pollen zones at c. 1.2 m below ash layer –19b.